Expansible band such as a bracelet.



H. E. HYDE &J. J. HART.

EXPANSIBLE BAND SUCH AS A BRACELET.

APPLICATION FlLED DEC-21,1914.

1,169.,6Q5, Patented Jan. 25, 1916.

Tm: COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH u,-.. WASHINGTON, D c,

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HARRY ERNEST HYDE ANDJOSEPH JCHN HART, OF BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND.

EXPANSIiBLE BAND SUCH AS A BRACELET.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 25,1916.

Application filed December 21, 1914. Serial No. 878,436.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, HARRY Ennns'r HYDE, of ll" Warstone Lane, Birmingham, England, and Josnrn Joi-IN Hear, of 108 Thornhill road, Handsworth, Birmingham, England, subjectsot the King of Great Britain, have invented certain new and useful 11nproveinents in Expansible Bands Such as Bracelets, of which the following is a specilication.

The invention relates to an expansible bracelet, or other band, of the kind formed of hollow links containing coiled springs which are put into compression to give the necessary elasticity.

The improvements according to the invention provide in such a bracelet or band a combination of parts, including, what may be called, third links and extra coiled springs, whereby said bracelet or band has a greater expansion, and also a more durable soft action both in expanding and contract ing. The third links are additional to what will be called the first links and the second links of the bracelet or band, and same resiliently connect the first and second links longitudinally by coiled springs applied to the interiors of the first and second links to operate in reverse directions against said first and second links and against each third link, the latter being practically in resilient suspension between the various coiled springs. V

The combination of parts according to the invention provide so that each first and second link has a spring action almost as long as itself.

The improvements are illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a plan of a length of the band contracted. Fig. 2 is a plan section of the same length. Fig. 3 is a similar plan section expanded. Fig. 4 is a transverse section of Fig. 2 on the dotted lines A. B, looking to the right, but less the springs. Fig. 5 shows a plan section of the various links separated.

The band shown in the drawings is built up of a succession of first and opposite links or cylinder sections a, a succession of second and intermediate links or cylinder sections 0, and a succession of third and inner links or connecting members (Z. The latter form the actual longitudinal connectors between the links or sections a and 0, but in a resilient manner by coiled springs applied to the interiors of said links or sections to operate reversely against each section a and Z) and side slots 0 c of a second link 0 and through inner side slots a a of two opposite first links a, in the manner clearly illustrated. This arrangement providing so that the pull of the third link or connecting member cl upon the coil springs m is substantially cen tral of said springs, and in respect of the first links a through the ends thereof. The

links cl also serve to transversely but loosely connect two opposite first links a, but this may be additionally accomplished by a rigidly built bar connecting two opposite first links externally across the second link, and not connected withsaid second link.

Two third links (Z are applied to each second link .0 and to two opposite first links a so that when the band is contracted the bottom bars of two third links abut and the end pieces of two third links abut, and two light coiled springs ."0 are applied within each first link and each second link to operate between the ends of said links and the bottom bars and end pieces of the third links, so that in each first link and in each second link there are two coiled springs the whole of which together operate to contract the bracelet and are operated against to expand the bracelet; in this way providing for a very much longer spring action in the band length, and greater durability of the springs themselves, for the reason that said springs can be made 011 calculations based on the excess of spring length to what ordinarily exists in expansible bands of this kind.

llach third link (Z is practically in resilient suspension longitudinally of the band, and assuming the springs 00 to be each of the same strength the operation of them, forced by the presence of the third links d, will be equal throughout the entire length of the band.

The third link d is of a rigid construction preserving its shape and dimensions, al-

' though it must always freely slide within the first and second links and allow the latter to freely slide upon it as a guide.

The improvementsmay be applied to an expansible band built upof three opposite first links or cylinder sections a, and two opposite second links or cylinder sections 0, in which case each third link or connecting member (Z would be somewhat alike in plan shape to a squore formation of crank shaft with two throws which are linable, or in the same direction, the resultant article being simply a broader hand than the one illustrated, but the action of the third links would be identical with the action illustrated.

7 Having now described our invention, what'we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1; An expansible bracelet or band comprising a succession of opposite hollow first links, a succession of hollow second links placed intermediate said first links, a succession of third links, each passing transversely through. the first and second links and being freely movable therein, and coil springs arranged in the first and second links to ooerate reversel a ainst theends O I prising a succession of opposite hollow first- Copies of this patent may be obtained for of the first and second links and against the thirdlinks, substantially as desc 'ibed.

2. An expansible bracelet or band comlinks, a succession of hollow second links placed intermediate said first links, a succession of third links, each passing transversely through the first and second links and being freely movable therein, and two coil springs arranged in the first and second links to operatereversely against the ends of the first and second links and against the third links, said third links connecting the first and second links and adapted to exert a pull on the springs substantially central of the latter and piston-like through the ends of the first link, substantially as described.

8. A flexible chain comprising an intermediate succession of hollow chain sections, a succession of hollow chain sections arranged on opposite sides of said intermediate succession of sections and adapted to overlap the ends of said intermediate succession of sections, said intermediate chain sections being formed with diametrically opposite slots therein, said side chain sections being formed with a slot in their inner sides, a pair of U-shaped members adapted to have their closed ends loosely engaged and extend through the slots of said intermediate sections and their free ends extend through the slots of the opposed side chain sections, enlarged heads formed on the free ends of said Ushaped members, said U-shaped members being arranged in pairs to connect the opposite outer chain sections with two adjacent intermediate chain sections, and a coil spring arranged within each of said chain sections and adapted to yieldingly engage a portion of said U-shaped member extending there through.

in testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HARRY ERNEST HYDE. JOSEPH JOHN HART.

lVitnesses:

Geo. T. Funny, D. Leanna.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. C. 

